I have different projects for different reasons... when I need comfort I pick up that project... when I want challenge I pick up that one... etc... knitting either helps me work through my life's challenges (comfort) or helps me escape them (challenge)... the process knitting is kinda ceremonial... handling and loving the yarn, winding, selecting the right project for that yarn... All I know is that I love this craft and I am constantly learning...
I’m a project and and comfort knitter. Knitting helps my anxiety. And on the contrary i find focusing on the pattern is my comfort because I’m not thinking about anything else! If there is a project with an easy pattern then i listen to podcasts and i love it.
I'm working on Stephen Wests Spring Cleaning shawl and it's perfect for listening to podcasts. I love his short row method in this and I'm using up a bunch of fingering weight yarn I dyed years ago when i first started and couldn't find a project for
What a great topic! 😁. Based on 54 years of knitting, I am a project knitter. I like learning a new technique, but immediately look to see projects which incorporate that technique. As I have aged (72 now), I have become more and more of a comfort knitter. I knit while watching TV and videos. Keeping complex pattern changes etc in my head has become less fun, and more frustrating. So age may be a mitigating factor for some. I also get impatient if a project is taking too long, so projected duration for completion is another consideration in being a project knitter. I am looking forward to reading the replies! 💜🙏🏼
OMG! Mind Blown! This idea is such an eye opener for me. Process + Challenge crafter here, i had no idea why i struggle with projects and this is why. I just can't be bothered to make the same simple thing over and over and over and over and (you get the idea). I'm new to knitting and am enjoying the meditative experience, however i do need to have something, like youtube videos, to block the mind chatter. I've been needing to make a quilt for a dear friend for years now and haven't been able to figure out why i just can't do it. Now i know to apply the Process + Challenge concept. I'm going to break out my 4 inch quilt block book, buy loads of pink fabric and make one of each of the most complex blocks in the book. I'm actually excited to get starting on it (i need to finish this shawl first though) Thank you so very much for sharing this concept, my everything crafting will definitely be far more enjoyable now.
I'm definitely a process plus challenge knitter. The thought of making something that is just miles of stockinette is so unappealing (but I get why others love those projects). So, I love to knit socks. You can pack so many techniques into a small, manageable project that gives you the satisfaction of completion in a reasonable amount of time. The literal thousands of combinations of cast on/ bind off, heel construction, toe construction, cuff styles, instep/leg textured stitch patterns, color work decisions and the process of making those decisions gets me just as much as the process of knitting does. And like you said, I have very few of my own creations - they're all out there in the world on other people.
I think I'm everywhere on this scale at different times. Sometimes I really want the "thing" so at that point I'm a product knitter. I just made a toy for a friend's little girl. I don't really enjoy knitting toys, so it was total product knitting for me. Usually, I'm more a process knitter. When I'm tired, don't have a lot of time or only small bursts of time, or while traveling I find myself looking for simple "comfort" type of patterns. When I have more brain space and time, I thoroughly enjoy more challenging projects that stretch my learning and capabilities. Great video and subject to ponder!
Hi Barbara. I am new to the podcast. Thank you for the informative and refreshing content. Stimulating. I concluded I am a project and comfort knitter. But as my skills progress can see evolving into challenge knitting.
Welcome! I'm so glad you found me. I try to make all kinds of different videos focused on knitting and the fiber arts. I hope you continue to enjoy my videos!
New knitter here. I think I’m square in the middle. I just want to knit ALL the things and learn as much as I can to figure out where I will eventually land on the scale.
This was so interesting. It makes you think about yourself. Sometimes I'm a comfort knitter/crocheted at other times I love a challenge so I tend to have different levels of projects on the go to suit my mood, location and opportunity. Thank you Barbara for the video. Fascinating. xxJane
I... Haven't started Knitting yet, I started crocheting but gave up so I got curious about knitting. So I convinced my mom to buy me yarn... Lots of yarn. They have been sitting in a box full of other hobbies I never even started. I am being forced to try to begin to knit. I am excited but haven't found anything to start making.
Pinterest has many ideas. Scarves are always a good start. What stitch you want to use can bre a hard part for beginners. Because there are so many. Infinity scarves are neat but you can always make a basic one and sew the ends together
I think I fall close to the middle I love challenge knitting needing to count every stitch and after I finish the project often I’ll knit a simple (brainless) project also notice the simple projects usually take longer. Never thought about it before so thanks for the video made me recognize why I do things the way I do brain really needs to be active.
Awesome! I have found that I can knit something with big lace repeats with no errors but give me a simple texture pattern with a 4 stitch repeat and I am mucking it up all over the place LOL. Once I go on cruise control I start hitting the bumps.
I am a brand new knitter. (Just finished my first project last night!) I am a process knitter for sure. I tend to have OCD and I want every stitch perfect so it may take me longer to complete something but that is ok with me.
I finished 4 knitting projects this year. I have one on the go for 3 years (bored) now I’ve started to learn different Lace knitting patterns. It’s very inspirational.
I am on my second Fox Paws wrap by Xandy Peters and it is tv knitting now, but felt so complex the first time I couldn't watch tv while I knitted it. If you are not familiar with Fox Paws, it uses lots of stacked increases and stacked decreases and looks so exciting! I like to have 2 or three knitting projects going so I can learn new techniques on one but have a tv knitting project too.
I am a HUGE admirer of all of Xandy's work. Her stacked increase/decrease technique was a game changer! I know quite a few knitters who have made multiple Fox Paws.
I'm a project knitter, I see a pattern I like and I want to make it, usually with yarn of the same color. I like fashion and am very picky about my wardrobe and what I want to spend my time on so I like to make things I will enjoy making. I'm also a bit of a comfort knitter/crocheter and it helps with my anxiety.
Your enthusiasm and love for knitting is fantastic! I cannot tell you how much these scales have helped me. I am a crocheter but I also want to knit so badly. I have tried and tried so many times but I am going to keep going until I get it. Suggestion for a couple of scales: Give it up...........................................................Keep working until I get it! Frustrated..........................................................No stress knitting Must be mistake free.........................................A few mistakes are okay (Finished project) Frog it 2 or 3 times................................................Frog as many times as I need to (still will finish project) Need quiet to knit.....................................................Can be very noisy I am sure you have much better terminology if any of these make sense. I have not read the comments. If by chance I have duplicated an idea that someone else has, my apologies. I just finished watching the videos and needed to write these ideas before I forgot them.
I am in between project and process but definitely a comfort knitter! I absolutely love having to assess and discover who I am as a knitter!!! Thank you so very much!!
Hello Barbara, loved the video. I'm definitely a process + comfort knitter, I came to knitting because my therapist recommended finding an activity/hobby for my anxiety. I questioned myself for never reaching for complex patterns, but your video helped me realize what I'm getting out of knitting isn't the end product, it's the process! Thanks, I'm going to check out your other vids now!
Only been knitting for about 5 months, just before covid started. My husband likes knitted dishcloths and asked me to learn to knit so we didn't have to buy from craft shows and the like. I have made 100 or more dishcloths now, and have started knitting slippers,which I really enjoy. So i'm more of a comfort knitter, and I love repetition. Thank you for the video, great topic.
I'm an extremely adventurous process knitter. Every creation is like a dream coming to me while I am knitting. The most frustrating thing is Wien I get knitters block. I hold The yarn in my hand but there is no story, no urge. But my hands long to be knitting, it almost hurts. Other times I can't even focus in anything else, everything just inspires me and new designs just appear like magic, my hands can't keep up with it...
I learned to knit as a child and returned to it when my children were small. I needed something In my life with a beginning and an end that stayed done! So, project knitter for sure. These days I look for projects in which I can learn something new. I’m getting up my courage to steek something!
I love this. I've never thought about what kind of knitter I am. But now I know I'm a process challenge knitter. I still feel very new to knitting after knitting for two years. Still learning lots. Thanks for the video Barbara.
Process and challenge. I have always found it fascinating to turn yarn into something. I make gifts for others and myself. I also am working on my own lace scarf pattern design (first try).
Well now I have to ponder. I know I am a project knitter. I do love my comfort knitting but I am working on a sweater that I had to pay attention to. That was hard but I got through it and now back to the sleeves that is tv knitting. Thanks for helping me think through this.
I'm definitely a process knitter and it takes me usually longer to finish a project. I also give most of my knitting to friends and family. Really enjoy your videos.
Hi Barbara, what great topic. I am a comfort knitter, that takes a lot of joy out of the journey of making something new. Now and then i also like to learn something new, a technique or pattern. Not all project are succesfull, but that is okay. I really learned a lot from several of your youtube videos so thank you so much for your effort and enthusiasm. Greetings from Ilse from The Netherlands
I’m on the project and challenge side. I need to occupy my brain to relax. I’m that type of quilter, too. Projects like your face framing lace shawls I love because I get the best of both worlds. Complexity and learning and growing with some sections of not having to think until I get to the next marker. ⭐️
You Tube knitter here! I am dependent on YT for instruction, access to designers, review of skills, and new ideas. Barbara, you and a few other skilled instructors have helped to expand my knowledge, skill, and courage to attempt new challenges. Thank You. I love your explanation of what drives you as well, if it helps any while I knit to drive the anxiety demons away and to "self sooth" I also will add one of your lace patterns to a hat from a shawl you have designed. Thanks again.
Oh snap, you got me. 🤣I’m totally a “Challenged Project Knitter”. I’m new to knitting and do love when I finally get the finished project. And have the nerve to get mad cause I can’t watch tv because I have to pay attention to the pattern, 😅So far finished 3 very small projects one of which was a heart cable scarf I loved just because of the picture. Im a “Process Comfort Crocheter” though. Now, I really want this beautiful knitted v-back tee top I’ve seen on raverlry. So here I go being the “Challenged Project Knitter” again.🤣All the advice you give, helps tremendously, Thank You😁
Have I told you how much I LOVE and ENJOY your videos? Well It's true. I do enjoy and love them. I am a middle of the spectrum knitter I believe. I love the finished project, and often as not I knit something for someone else, usually a gift. I am now knitting a cardigan for myself, I am on the 1st sleeve. I can't wait to finish this because the cardigan I am wearing at the time is one I made several years ago from the same pattern and it's just about worn out. I absolutely love both knitting and sewing! Thanks for your musing in this video and for all your videos. Terry
Thank you so much for your kind words. I was a little nervous making this video because I didn't know how people would react. I'm not really teaching anything but more rambling on ...
I taught myself to knit because of a project, a baby sweater for my son. I could have crocheted one, but I wanted the knit one. For years I used crochet as my comfort and knitting as my challenge. Two decades later, it has changed for me. I would say I am more of a process knitter and crocheter. If I see a project that speaks to me I will happily conquer a new technique or element to get the project. I have multiple projects on the needles/hooks for when I have time. Just pick the project to fit the time of day -Comfort or Challenge, Knit or Crochet. I'm ready! Maybe I'm in the center of your graph LOL
I am a comfort knitter. I enjoy quick projects that I can give as gifts, ie, hats, mitts and socks. I am currently challenging myself with a larger project, a shawl. I think I am ready to challenge myself with a new level of skill. Thank you for sharing your thought process. Blessings.
Hi Barbara! I love your podcasts. I consider myself a moody knitter.🙄 I work full time and do not have a lot of time to devote to knitting. When I’ve had a good day I’m up for working on a more complicated pattern. I seem to be able to focus better and my thoughts don’t ramble. On the other hand, if it’s been a bad day I mostly just want to set down in front of the tv and not even think too much about what I’m knitting. That’s why I have two going at once.
Zen is exactly why I knit. I learned to knit at a time when I had enough challenges in my life, and I am still mostly a process-comfort knitter. Thank you for such a thought provoking episode.
Thank you for your, knit ( food) for thought. Never really thought about it. I do love a challenge and I am amazed with the end product that I knitted. I never thought about picking out a pattern based on that. It's true we do have little time and it is valuable. Thank you
I lived this video and am going to join your groups! I am a ‘past life’ (knitted a bit as a kid but took to it like I knew what I was doing as an adult) COVID hobby ((knitting through Zoom meetings is a godsend) PROCESS meditative knitter. And - didn’t think I had a crafty bone in my body so I will add ‘excel spreadsheet’ knitter. When COVID put my job to remote it took a while to realize that knitting replaced my long drives between work sites. What I was missing was ‘think time.’ The analytical me found a friend in the structured creativity of knitting. I love to watch something FORM and I am still new enough that the simple patterns I choose ( baby blankets for my staff of 50 in which 3-5 ladies are pregnant every year) are so much fun to see grow. I had so much fun listening to this video. Thank you!
I am a comfort knitter. I learned to knit basic stitches and taught myself to crochet a chain and managed to crochet a blanket for my grandson because after I completed a throw for my daughter, I had tendenitis...I know I don't hold needles properly but I have tried for decades to knit British style and I am all thumbs. However I discovered this week continental style, so I may try that. I have knitted scarves tuques and that is it. I do not have patience to follow a pattern. I just purchased two books and can't follow it. Due to the pandemic I cannot go see a friend for support. I love your channel!! It has allowed me to "try" out my circular needles finally. I go to Michaels and buy needles of all sorts blockers, markers, extra yarn but it is like fixing dinner for hours and you don't feel like eating anymore. I do most of my knitting to relax or when I am on a long crisis call (I'm a counsellor) and I find the knitting grounds me. I find knitting relaxing...it calms me. the only reason I attempt crochetting a scarf or blanket is because my shoulders and arm hurt a lot when I knit too much...arthritis. So perhaps learning continental knitting may help. You remind me of a dear colleague who was a counsellor for youths years ago...you have a very soothing voice and I am part French, being from Montreal, so I talk with my hands too :) I also write poetry/haiku which is meditative for me and when I walk for hours I listen to podcasts or audible books or chant my mantra in my mind. Thanks for your amazing channel! During these times it feels so wonderful to watch.
I do talk with my hands a lot LOL. When I catch myself doing it in the camera I try to dial it back a bit. I hope that continental works out for you - it totally changed my knitting life!
I think most of the time I love making things for others and enjoy the process of doing them. I guess I fall somewhere in betweenbecause I enjoy both. Designing is a lot of fun because I enjoy coming up with new ideas. Great question; I had to think on it a little bit.
I’m more of a project knitter. Get great satisfaction when I get to the end goal! In fact I get miserable when I see my WIPs growing... lolz! Also a adventure knitter as I like to learn new techniques and new ways along the way. When I get into comfort knitting, I have a tendency to be like “oh when will this end....?” But on days when I’m just tired, I do enjoy the process of mindless knitting. But I will still prefer a challenge anytime. Great video on the perspective of knitting! Looking forward to more videos from you! :)
Great topic...I believe I am more of a process/comfort knitter/crocheter.. However, if I am making a gift for a particular person, I am project knitter/ crocheter, but I really don’t like deadlines.. I am definitely. Comfort crafter.. I din’t necessarily want to be challenged...although I do like to learn new (but easy) Stitches to use in my Preemie blankets. I have never made anything for myself...... Everything gets given away... I enjoy”TV”:knitting/crocheting,,, I tend to express myself in my choice of colors...not in the complexity of a project. I don’t mind making roughly knitting or crocheting the same type of thing...but I want to use a variety of colors and different yarns. I love seeing whatever I am making take shape, and I love seeing how . the fabric is looking. I learned when I quilted that I often don’t really know how a project will look...or be...until it is done.. Yep...Prcess...although I love to see my pile of Preemie blankets and teeny weeny matching hats grow... In that sense, I am project driven.. It gives me great joy to create something...no matter how simple that something is.. that is pleasing to the eye..and will give joy to someone else..
I love this topic. I miss my knitting groups that we discuss these sorts of things! Definitely a project / challenge knitter. It's not necessarily the "thing" that I'm looking for, it's the sense of closure and accomplishment of finishing an object. I almost always knit gifts and will usually even end up giving away something I've knit for myself. I want that sense of accomplishment, the thing is irrelevant. The thought of having more than a couple projects on the needles also gives me anxiety. I usually have just two (at most) projects going, one big one that needs to be worked on at home and one I can take on the go. I also need the challenge of something new and interesting. The thought of knitting the same thing twice makes me cringe, lol.
This was a really good way to look at it. I'm realizing I'm a process and challenge crocheter, and a project knitter, but as I've only been knitting for a couple months, I haven't figured out yet if I'm more challenge or comfort with knitting.
I love the good scarf. I have two WIPS that will be done by winter for my kids. They are very different one is two yarns held together for my daughter and my sons is a solid color but I may end up adding a second color when I get to the en Nd of the first Hank because it may not be long enough then his will be two VP colors but a color block piece. It’s a great pattern very zen. Very clever . I adore it.
Barbara, I just love collecting yarn. I love to knit and crochet but am so excited to buy yarn! I really do like hard Patterns but really like easy ones, too. But...buying yarn...oh my
I really liked this video. I had to go to Ralvery and take a look at the types of patterns I like. I would say I am 50% process/50% comfort. Knitting helps my anxiety with challenging myself with new stitches but every once in a while I need a nice and easy garter shawl to clear my mind. I just finished the Rock It Tee and I must have looked for over an hour in my library for something to cast on. My hands felt naked without a sweater on the needles. Rachelle in Seattle
I want to say im all of the above. I used knitting to help me quit smoking. In a month a I had a cabled scarf almost as long as I am tall, in sport/baby yarn. In a needle smaller than recommended... sewed the scarf ends together and made a cute top piece that crossed in the front.
I would like to say I love your explanation I never know new what type of Knitter I am I like to finish. But I also am a comfort knitter and I also give everything away never leave anything behind for myself thank you so much for your video it's excellent you are truly truly an inspiring
I think that liking to finish is sort of different than your motivation being wanting the end product - as is evidenced by you saying that you give things away. The feeling of satisfaction of finishing something and then getting to start something new is a totally awesome rush.
I am an ADD adventurous process knitter who loves learning new things, but who also loves the end project, who also gets bored easily. Though I always have a "comfort" project on the needles for Netflix/Audible time. What a great discussion Barbara!
I'm somewhere in between process/project same as tv vs adventure. I usually have 1 project that is fun and tv knitting and another project that is more challenging. Then I bounce back and forth between projects as I feel in the moment. I work on the challenging project when I need to focus and get out of my head and the tv project when I just want to zone out and wind down before bed. I decided to learn new skills this year that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Brioche is the next skill on the list, I tried a few years ago and got very frustrated so hopefully this year will go better. I'm high risk in AZ so I've been at home since March 17th
I have yet to find abiding love for Brioche. It looks lovely but I find the actual knitting process to be too fiddly and time consuming. Also, I have very little use for double thick fabric here in Florida LOL!
i am totally a process knitter ( although brand new, like two months now), after 20+ years as a hand quilter, and over that crocheter. All these crafts i am a process person, never really cared about which project it was.I might say i am an adventure crafter, if that means i want to learn all the different designs and processes out there. i started knitting because i was trying to wrap my head around naalbinding and thought maybe knitting might be a process to learning that. Most of my last three years all my projects have an element of 'how close to medieval is it" because i love the history of all the creative things. It makes me happiest when i get to the point that i can make up something creative because i have the foundations to make something without a pattern to follow.
Very enjoyable video, and helpful to quantify my different crafting moods. I'm bi-stitchual (crochet and knit), and picked up knitting because crochet didn't give me the complexity I wanted anymore. I'm currently working on a double-knit scarf, with directional motifs that I am making both sides the "right" side, so charting it out and working it is giving me a satisfactory challenge; but I also usually have a cotton washcloth cast onto a set of needles for "tv knitting." I just bought your book of shawls with chunky yarn that is next on my lineup because I wanted to try something pretty and lacy but didn't want to invest the time to make it with lace-weight yarn. However, my first introduction to your videos was the "lace crescent shawl" that was a meditative comfort knitting project. I crochet and knit with a church prayer shawl group because I want to try new patterns all the time, but don't want a personal stockpile of shawls, lap blankets, and baby blankets. Guess I have a scattergun approach. We'll see what I feel like next week!
I am a project knitter, and i love having eyelets in my work, but they just look to loose or to tight. Please do a video on this, would be so helpful!! Thank you!!
Hmmm, that sounds like the kind of thing that might need to be looked at to figure out precisely what you mean. I'm afraid I don't really understand what you mean by too loose/too tight. Have you joined the WBK FaceBook group. This is the kind of thing that you could share pictures of and we could try to work out what is going on!
Amazing idea! I would define myself as a half project/half process knitter... I just love all the aspects of knitting, and that includes all the process of knitting and the final project (specifically I love big projects with shape, like sweaters and cardigans). And sure, I am a challenge knitter! I love to do things that make me think... I find calm and peace when I have my mind fully occupied ❤
I'm absolutely a process knitter/crocheter & i'mm about equal on comfort/challenge. I LOVE learning new things, so i LOVE challenging projects, but i also always have comfort crochet & knit projects in the works for when i just need to decompress or to be able to work on something that doesn't require following a complex pattern for during work or travel projects. I think that's why i gravitate toward shawls & blankets, because i can switch them out frequently!
Such a fascinating question! I'm definitely a project knitter. In fact, I saw a cardi on a website just a few months ago and decided to learn to knit so I could make it. I'm also probably more of a challenge knitter. Well, because I'm such a newbie that everything is a challenge. But in addition to the cardi, I found a sweater with an intricate lace sleeve, and I just started that too. So, jumping in and taking it all on!
Very interesting topic! It’s some times hard to put yourself in other people’s shoes I find. I had the impression from a forum that a lot of the people there knit the same three patterns over and over and asked if that was correct or if I just had the wrong impression. One of them wrote “isn’t the most important thing that we at least knit”. That really made me think about what I want from knitting. I always feel like having something on the needles and knit a lot, but I also would not knit if it wasn’t something I really want! I enjoy the process, but I do think the finished product is the most important. If I need to undo something multiple times to get it perfect I do, because having the perfect product is my over all goal. I always love a bit of a challenge, but I mostly knit in front of the TV, so I always need at least something that I can knit that doesn’t require too much thought.
I don't know that there is a wrong reason to knit. I made this video to try and get people to think about why they knit and to come to peace with that. You sound like you know yourself!
How fun to hear your thoughts on this. I’ve been noticing how much I have changed. I was once very much a challenge/ process knitter, though occasionally I was bitten by project dazzle. Then as kids grew, I was more project, oriented, have to have it, whether my own imaginings or saw a pattern. Colour work was a great love then lace. Now, there isn’t much I haven’t tried, but still there are a few, but I find i don’t have time or ability to concentrate as I used too, and find myself choosing projects that have a fun bit, like a yoke patten, then lots of plain, don’t have to look at it knitting for the rest. It’s nice though, because I can relax and knit those fingering weight sweaters that took too long in my mind! But there are some lovely lace projects that I still want to try, but I know I’d never get through while the grandkids are so young. I think a big reason for this change is I get tired by evening, and once the grandkids go to bed, I just want to relax. I need my downtime. Easy Knitting is awesome for that. Definitely meditative, and soothing. I feel like I’m getting something done, but not expending energy i don’t have. And it’s comforting. Before, when younger I could hardly wait for evening so I could try out a new stitch, or see how colours I had picked out would work together, and what fun I had! Now, give me some yarn with a nice feel, and easy knitting, and I’m a happy knitter. Interesting how we change. I do enjoy hearing your thoughts and how curious your mind is. Probably why I love your patterns, because they are always fun explorations, but in my current state, I’m not always able to join the fun. Cheers to you!
I don't know if I'm a Freak of Kniture or not, but I kinda think so. I don't have any kind of queue, as I rarely use a pattern, and often don't even have a type of object in mind. I pick a yarn, start knitting and see what happens. I often have 4 or 5 reboots before I decide to go on. I just end up with whatever comes off the sticks, but I'm happy if it's useful and happier still if it ranks as unugly or higher on the looks scale. I almost never have a wip list, because I am a severely monogamous knitter. If I start to hate a project, I might just stop knitting for weeks. When I finally decide to have an illicit affair with some other yarn, it usually kickstart my mojo enough to go back and work on the abandoned project again - but not until I finish the new one. I can only recall two times when I was actively knitting on two or more projects at the same time. My other quirk is that I have my own version of "second sock syndrome", but for sweaters. I consider the body of a sweater as one project, and the sleeves as another, totally separate project, that just happens to be attached. So it's ok to finish the body, set it aside for some other project, and return to do the sleeves later. In one case about 5 years later. But it's not a WIP, it's an FO, just waiting for another FO to hang off its sides ... like I said at the beginning, I think I'm a Freak of Kniture. (Freak of Kniture = Copyright Kitten WAW) Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, and for being who you are, which makes it so much fun.
That's super interesting about your sweater syndrome. I don't think you are a freak - honestly you've described me in many ways. I start with the yarn and swatch ... and I have so many notes on things that petered out in the middle of the design it isn't funny LOL.
I am driven by the project because I first fall in love with the beauty of a pattern. But I also love the actual process, learning new techniques, learning from my mistakes... I also love oceans of stockinette as knitting is a form of meditation to me, wether it is for comfort or for challenge. There is love and pride in a finished hand crafted project - I mostly knit for myself but I love gifting to loved ones too! 💚 But I'm definitely a monogamous knitter now - unfinished projects can stay forever in my drawers and I don't want this anymore! 😂
I enjoy knitting for a lot of the same reasons I enjoy studying/teaching math. I tend towards the challenge/process type of knitter. Awesome video, very thought provoking
Go where no knitter has gone before!😅.... yes, I have learned to knit for an intermediate project. Blast that Vogue Knitting lace pattern! It took me two years to finish on two continents but its mine. In those two years, I knit other projects for the pocess , comfort and charity. The challenge and perseverance was all in that first knit lace pattern. Thanks for breaking down the motivations into concepts and a graph. Its a big help with keeping my priorities in focus.
I am very much a process knitter. On the scale, I am so close to the extreme I could be the definition of extreme. And as for comfort/challenge, I am all over the place. When I need comfort knitting, I make basic socks. Yes, I know that can be a challenge. But I've probably made at least 100 basic socks so I can make a heel flap and gusset in my sleep. And at times, I love the very complex challenge projects. No matter what I make, I will probably give it away. In fact, I have two sweaters and 3 pairs of socks I need to take to the post office as soon as I finish blocking them.
WOW. I am impressed at your sock making. This summer I am trying to learn to make socks and I can not get that heel right to save my life! Rachelle in Seattle
@@619to253 if you are on Facebook, check out Winwick Mum's sock group. She has great, easy to follow instructions. If you get stuck, post a photo and/or question and someone will answer within minutes.
Thank you for this video. I have not really taken the time before to think about this. I do love a challenge. The more complicated the project the more I gravitate toward it. I also find that I love learning new things. So I guess on that front I am more of a challenge knitter. On the other side of it I think I'm somewhere in the middle. I love having the finished project but I also love the process of knitting it. Look at me learning new things about myself thanks to you.
I have been knitting for over 50 years, and I am a process knitter. I have things in my house that I have made, and have no use for. I give away much of what I made. Currently I am working on a hoodie for my 19 year old grandon, just because I need to knit. The fact that I am watching your video while I do it proves that I'm a comfort knitter.
As you’ve said, everything’s a spectrum. It’s also interesting to see the reasons why we hit where we do on the spectrums. I’d say that I probably land on the process side of project-process. Yes, I like to make a lot of smaller projects instead of larger ones, but I think the other axis comes into play there. Washcloths and dishcloths are some of my favorite objects to knit because you can get so creative with them! One of my favorite things to make is a dishcloth with random garter ridges in it. I’m not thinking about a pattern, I’m thinking about the textures I’m making. Then, I also give away more than 50% of what I make. At heart, I’m also a challenge knitter, but one that spends most of his knitting time while talking to others, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, or watching TV or TH-cam. So, basically, knitting is keeping my hands busy. So, I like smaller projects that teach me a new technique. If the pattern is simple is a plus, due to the context of most of my knitting time. Since I like to learn new things and try new techniques, I get bored if the project is too big. A shawl is basically my upper limit. I haven’t even attempted a sweater yet, and I’ve been knitting for over 10 years.
Really interesting :) I have never thougth about this, but it makes so much sense. I am a project and challenge knitter. I really hate knitting a sweather with just gatherstich. I need colourwork, lace or stich patteren to keep me entertained while knitting. Simple sweathers with just knit stiches look good, but I know now that I would not have the patience to finish it, I would find it to boring. I also can only knit when I feel motivated, I never knit because I feel "I have to". I also sew clothing, and find that I have some months I knit and others I sew never together. Thanks for your great videos.
Hi I don't know are I fit in I knit and it relaxes me I have almost no vision I just finished a baby blanket on round needle and casted off I was proud of myself
At this time in my life I have become a comfort project knitter. After being let go in March, I needed something to do to keep my mind focused enough but not too much. I picked up my crochet hook and started making granny squares. In the process I have kept my sanity and have made 7 afghans with plans for
That's a lot of afghans! I can totally see making a pieced project being very comforting. That feeling of accomplishment you get when you finish each square is great.
Great topic! As you said the we are not black and white. At times, I look for the comfort of rhytmic kniting, crocheting or even re doing a pattern that I have done before. At other times, I would want the challenge of new type of stiches, trickier pattern or a more slippy, thinner yarn. I usually have two project at the same time and do whichever one that i want at any time. I guess that means i am more process driven than project driven. What sometimes drive me more is yarn. If i see a colourway that I love, i most probably will find a pattern for it, knit/crochet it and then giving it away if the end result is not something that i can use/wear.
I think I am a project and comfort knitter. I try to set goals for myself that can help me to learn to use different knitting tools (magic loop, DPS), This has given me more confidence in knitting. Pattern selection is becoming more easy and not so overwhelming. That in it self is comforting for me.
This is great! In management consulting, we call this kind of structure a 2x2 framework. I'm definitely an adventure knitter, and mid-spectrum on the project-process axis. I particularly like patterns that have some elements of challenge (a new shaping technique, color work, etc), with some sections of comfort for tv-knitting ("work as established until piece measures X inches"). Another way I like to think about this axis is whether a pattern requires me to "zone out" or "hone in". Another axis that I think is interesting is pattern- vs. yarn-first: do you buy yarn and find something to do with it, or do you find a pattern before hunting down the perfect yarn?
I enjoy the process, mainly making the 2-rectangle ponchos with 9-stitch cable plaits, round afghans for babies, and cabled fingerless gloves with a longish cuff (2 at a time on circular needles). I do give almost all of it away bkz you can have just so many ponchos, blankies, and gloves!!
I think I'm mostly a process knitter. I have several projects going on, from challenging (and it is in time out because it won’t cooperate with me, lol), to mindless. It really depends on my mood, I guess. I taught myself to knit when I was pregnant with my daughter (1972!) in the Western method. I switched to Portuguese because of carpal tunnel and arthritis which had me constantly stopping to get rid of the numbness in my fingers. It has made a world of difference for me. I enjoy my knitting much more now, though it might be a bad thing since I have several ufos, plus yarn and patterns waiting for me to even start them! 😂😂😂🥰🥰
This has been a fun topic to think about and to compare myself at different ages and with knitting vs crochet. I've been knitting a little over 40yr and crocheting over 55 yr (I'm 60 now - my how the time has flown by!) So when I was in my teens to 30's I was really an advanced-project crocheter, but was a comfort-process knitter. From 30's to 50's I morphed into an advanced-process knitter except when it came to knitting socks. I was definitely an advanced-project knitter. I became totally bored with crochet altogether and only did it when I was taking long trips in the car to keep my hands busy - I guess I was a comfort-process crocheter then. From 50-60 I have become a comfort-process knitter but a comfort-project crocheter. I've fallen in love with the process of crochet again, but am focused on the completing projects for grandkids and neices and nephews. Crochet is a quick project for me, whereas I get bogged down in getting knitting projects done. I would be happy just knitting swatches, like you Barbara, b/c it's about the comfort and process for me. My husband thinks I'm nuts for not getting any knitting projects done. LOL. Happy knitting to all!
This is so interesting to me, let me explain why. I first taught myself to knit in order to knit a 🧸 because I had to make that bear to give my friend for her expected baby boy. I crochet too and it is much easier for me to crochet than knit, but I really love the way knitted products look. I have given away almost everything I have ever knitted and crochet. I enjoy the process of a project come to life. A gift I imagine come to life. I have challenged myself with every new project I have made. This was very interesting 🤔 to hear and think about. Thank you for making this video!
I've always been a process knitter - but now I've got another dimension too. Seems I'm a chaotic comfort/challenge knitter - I love "mindless" knitting but sometimes I also want to a challenging knit just because it's a new technique or a generally cool pattern. I don't often have use for the items.. so a lot is given away
Twinsies! ;-) When people ask me what I'm weaving I usually say "a piece of cloth'! I hand spin but haven't used my yarn, I just admire it, I spent a year making bobbin lace and loved it but I haven't used my lace and I always have around 3 pairs of socks on the go. I do want my socks to be interesting so one is colourwork, one is cabling, and one is more vanilla. I derive a lot of comfort from my string but I usually need at least a bit of challenge in order to stay in my 'mindfulness' place. When I want something easy (like while I'm visiting with someone or I'm on the bus) I pull out my drop spindle my vanilla sock, or some mending. But my main crafting needs to be something new to me. This was very interesting, and really got me thinking. It was a great video and it has the best comments too!
I have been astounded by the comments and am trying to respond to each one. I have read them all! Everyone is so different but in other ways we are all the same in our love of crafting!
40 year knitter of mostly scarves, a few hats, and some sweaters. Process meditative knitter who is trying hard to learn some new tricks, but knows the limitations of her brain....repetition is key for me, and I love to make an interesting surface, and be influenced by work in patterns, but I will never be a lace or intarsia knitter. I'm attemtping a sweater right now that is very basic, but I found that the edges come out very uneven to I am viewing a ton of how to's (including yours) for good strong increas and decrease edges for sewing! Thanks and cheers to your process of looking into the different types of people! Very cool!
I'm an accessories girl too! As far as increasing/decreasing for shaping in sweaters - it is better to have the shaping set in a couple of stitches from the edge than to do them directly on the edge. It makes it look smoother.
I am definitely more on the project side, even though I do enjoy the process, if I don't want the thing (or want to make it for someone) I'm just not going to enjoy it, I need an end goal to reach. I also think I'm in the middle between comfort and adventure, leaning slightly on comfort. I'd like a bit of challenge to learn new things, but I want to be able to get into a groove once I've gotten the hang of it. Very interesting to think about, thank you for this video!
I think I’m a little of both!!! I lean more toward the process because when I’m not making something I’m always practicing new stitches and patterns!! When I’m make something I usually give it away which I love to do but I’m sad when the project is complete!!!
I'm so a process and challenge knitter. I'm very new but in every craft I do... I make it cause I love seeing what I did. The outcome. Most the time I giveaway what I make but I love making things
This is interesting. I have to say that I am a combination of all of these. I think that’s why I have multiple WIPs going. I call them “palate cleansers”. I think predominantly pattern knitter, ultimately. If it means that I learn a new thing, then great! I’ll enjoy the process. But I always make sure I have something ready that I can do watching tv and also something challenging that will slow me down. It all depends on what mood I’m in. And I love the fact that knitting can be all of these things!
Interesting concepts. If I think about it, which I admit I never have, I fall directly in the centre overall. Some days I challenge myself, some days I use knitting, crochet, art, etc in repetitious, meditative ways. Some days I covet the end result and some days I just enjoy the process. Like I said, interesting.
Mostly process and challenge although from time to time a pattern will pop up requiring me to knit it, the item will still be given away, and rarely do I want "TV" knitting.I fell in love with cables and most of my knitting involves putting cables in everything (I make up a lot of my own Items and never write down what I did so most of my stuff is truly one of a kind). I just wish my Mom was still here to see my knitting now. I taught myself to knit as my Mom was a true lefty knitter but in the learning process while watching her I became an Eastern style knitter. Figured the eastern style thing out a couple of years ago when someone asked me about my knitting, I had described it as knitting backwards upside down. Believe it or not there are just some stitches that are seriously difficult for an Eastern knitter. My early knitting drove her crazy because my stitches were "backward". She suggested crochet for me instead but no one to teach that either. I did learn enough crochet to be able to put an edge on some of her stuff. (edit) Mom was an expert knitter, in her younger years she supported herself by knitting suits and was able to knit in a movie theater while watching the movie (simple stockinette)
I'm very much a process knitter, and I go between comfort knitting and challenge knitting depending on what I'm in the mood for (how bad a day I'm having, etc). Usually when I have a product-knitter moment and want to HAVE the thing more than I want to MAKE the thing, it's still good process knitting because I get excited by interesting construction tweaks.
I taught myself to knit. I learn the throw method first. I taught myself to continental knitting. So I do that mainly. I love to knit. I love to knit socks, handwarmers and sweaters I have more projects than one and I learn new stitches. I am going to make a sweater and I'm going to use two colors and throw and continental knit it up.
I’m usually thinking about how I’m going to finish the item I’m working on and I hear my sock yarn calling me to knit another pair of socks. I can also work out something that may be on my mind.🧶
I am both a process knitter and a project knitter. Similarly on the comfort/challenge axis. Mostly I make garments that I need like socks, beanies, cardigans. I like these to be fairly plain (especially now I am old), maybe with a bit of simple pattern to relieve it. However sometimes I come across an intriguing pattern that maybe has many charts for different parts and bits joined on and I just have to make it so I can see how it is structured. Those projects are often given away as they probably don't fit me or suit me or whatever hut I do like a challenge now and then. I have been knitting since I was about 3 (81 now) and I have always enjoyed the process of knitting, the meditational aspect of it, the ability for my mind to explore wherever it wants and the fact that you are not doing a job to get it done, you are just knitting one stitch at a time and it's finished when you get to the end. 😀
I am a process knitter, as is evidenced in the amount of KALs I join (I'm in 5 this August) and the amount of WIPs I have (about 20). I love the process of knitting and creating: seeing what can be made with sticks and string. I'm always surprised when I finish a project. As for the Comfort/Challenge axis, I go more toward the Challenge side. I love to challenge myself to try new techniques and learn at least one new technique a month. Had to believe it can be done after so many years knitting, but there is always something new to learn. (I learned two new heels this month!) I do love a project that I know, too. Not every day needs to be a challenge, so I'm more towards the middle of the challenge axis.
Definitely a project knitter here. I’ve come to terms with the fact that if I’m going to knit something, it HAS to be something I genuinely love or else it will never be finished. It always baffles me to see knitters who cast on every new pattern that comes their way, but it makes sense that a process knitter would be more apt to jump in to every new pattern regardless of what the finished object is. For me, I really do enjoy the process of making things, but I can’t usually motivate myself to actually make something unless I like the finished object enough. It’s a little frustrating sometimes when I just want to cast something on but first have to find a pattern I like enough, but this quality definitely does help me be more intentional about only making things I actually want to have. The only thing I always have to keep in mind as a project knitter is that I can’t let myself become so invested into the idea of the finished project that the actual FO is a letdown. I tend to get so excited about having a project finished that I rush through and then end up thinking “okay, what now?” when the project is finished and I don’t have anything to work on anymore. As silly as it sounds, I have to continually remind myself that nothing magical will happen when a project is finished. This helps to avoid that sinking feeling at the end and helps me to stay present in what I’m working on and enjoy the process more. As for comfort versus challenge, I’m definitely more of a challenge knitter. I have a lot of anxiety so I need things to be engaging enough to distract me and take my mind off of whatever I’m worried about. I also find that challenge knitting helps me find more enjoyment in the process. I certainly don’t mind easy knitting but I have to have something else to do at the same time or else I get bored.
You've hit the nail on the head regarding one of the reasons I wanted to make this video. I find that knitters from the two extremes of process/project baffle each other because their approaches are just so very different. And when you are very set in one frame of mind it can be a challenge to see things from the other's point of view. But in the end we are all knitters and that is what brings us together.
I'm all of the above. At first it was the process, I wanted to just learn a stitch, learn how to knit a hat, then a sweater, then different techniques. Then, with all the videos and patterns floating around, it's the project. However, now it's if I can get my UFOs done and use up as much yarn as I possibly can even when I am ordering more. But now I see your shawl and I want to knit it. :-)
Thank you so much for this video! It really helped me a lot to know where or who I am in knitting. I've never really thought about it. But you made me think, and described me. So, it is really nice to know. I really love you videos, cuz its so informative and and makes us think. Plus it is also lot fun. So Thanks again! And keep up the great work. And look forward to seeing what's next.
I have different projects for different reasons... when I need comfort I pick up that project... when I want challenge I pick up that one... etc... knitting either helps me work through my life's challenges (comfort) or helps me escape them (challenge)... the process knitting is kinda ceremonial... handling and loving the yarn, winding, selecting the right project for that yarn...
All I know is that I love this craft and I am constantly learning...
I am seeing that a lot - different preferences depending on specific circumstances!
I’m a project and and comfort knitter. Knitting helps my anxiety. And on the contrary i find focusing on the pattern is my comfort because I’m not thinking about anything else! If there is a project with an easy pattern then i listen to podcasts and i love it.
Very cool!
I'm working on Stephen Wests Spring Cleaning shawl and it's perfect for listening to podcasts. I love his short row method in this and I'm using up a bunch of fingering weight yarn I dyed years ago when i first started and couldn't find a project for
What a great topic! 😁. Based on 54 years of knitting, I am a project knitter. I like learning a new technique, but immediately look to see projects which incorporate that technique. As I have aged (72 now), I have become more and more of a comfort knitter. I knit while watching TV and videos. Keeping complex pattern changes etc in my head has become less fun, and more frustrating. So age may be a mitigating factor for some. I also get impatient if a project is taking too long, so projected duration for completion is another consideration in being a project knitter. I am looking forward to reading the replies! 💜🙏🏼
Sounds like you have a good grasp on what makes your knitting brain tick! That is awesome.
OMG! Mind Blown! This idea is such an eye opener for me. Process + Challenge crafter here, i had no idea why i struggle with projects and this is why. I just can't be bothered to make the same simple thing over and over and over and over and (you get the idea). I'm new to knitting and am enjoying the meditative experience, however i do need to have something, like youtube videos, to block the mind chatter.
I've been needing to make a quilt for a dear friend for years now and haven't been able to figure out why i just can't do it. Now i know to apply the Process + Challenge concept. I'm going to break out my 4 inch quilt block book, buy loads of pink fabric and make one of each of the most complex blocks in the book. I'm actually excited to get starting on it (i need to finish this shawl first though)
Thank you so very much for sharing this concept, my everything crafting will definitely be far more enjoyable now.
I am so excited that I made your light bulb ignite. That sounds like an awesome plan for a super pink quilt!
I'm definitely a process plus challenge knitter. The thought of making something that is just miles of stockinette is so unappealing (but I get why others love those projects). So, I love to knit socks. You can pack so many techniques into a small, manageable project that gives you the satisfaction of completion in a reasonable amount of time. The literal thousands of combinations of cast on/ bind off, heel construction, toe construction, cuff styles, instep/leg textured stitch patterns, color work decisions and the process of making those decisions gets me just as much as the process of knitting does. And like you said, I have very few of my own creations - they're all out there in the world on other people.
I think I'm everywhere on this scale at different times. Sometimes I really want the "thing" so at that point I'm a product knitter. I just made a toy for a friend's little girl.
I don't really enjoy knitting toys, so it was total product knitting for me. Usually, I'm more a process knitter. When I'm tired, don't have a lot of time or only small bursts of time, or while traveling I find myself looking for simple "comfort" type of patterns. When I have more brain space and time, I thoroughly enjoy more challenging projects that stretch my learning and capabilities. Great video and subject to ponder!
I'm so glad you liked the video!
I just love your approach to pretty much everything- these videos are so enjoyable and informative! I think I'm right in the middle of the spectrum!
I'm so glad you like the videos. And being in the middle is a good place to be!
Hi Barbara. I am new to the podcast. Thank you for the informative and refreshing content. Stimulating. I concluded I am a project and comfort knitter. But as my skills progress can see evolving into challenge knitting.
Welcome! I'm so glad you found me. I try to make all kinds of different videos focused on knitting and the fiber arts. I hope you continue to enjoy my videos!
New knitter here. I think I’m square in the middle. I just want to knit ALL the things and learn as much as I can to figure out where I will eventually land on the scale.
You will find your way and it will be a super fun journey!
This was so interesting. It makes you think about yourself. Sometimes I'm a comfort knitter/crocheted at other times I love a challenge so I tend to have different levels of projects on the go to suit my mood, location and opportunity. Thank you Barbara for the video. Fascinating. xxJane
I think that sometimes we are so wrapped up in everything that we don't slow down and take time to work on ourselves. I'm glad you liked the video!
I... Haven't started Knitting yet, I started crocheting but gave up so I got curious about knitting. So I convinced my mom to buy me yarn... Lots of yarn. They have been sitting in a box full of other hobbies I never even started. I am being forced to try to begin to knit. I am excited but haven't found anything to start making.
Pinterest has many ideas. Scarves are always a good start. What stitch you want to use can bre a hard part for beginners. Because there are so many. Infinity scarves are neat but you can always make a basic one and sew the ends together
Just keep looking, you'll find something to inspire.
I think I fall close to the middle I love challenge knitting needing to count every stitch and after I finish the project often I’ll knit a simple (brainless) project also notice the simple projects usually take longer. Never thought about it before so thanks for the video made me recognize why I do things the way I do brain really needs to be active.
Awesome! I have found that I can knit something with big lace repeats with no errors but give me a simple texture pattern with a 4 stitch repeat and I am mucking it up all over the place LOL. Once I go on cruise control I start hitting the bumps.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit 😆 love it; that's funny...😊
I am a brand new knitter. (Just finished my first project last night!) I am a process knitter for sure. I tend to have OCD and I want every stitch perfect so it may take me longer to complete something but that is ok with me.
As long as it's bringing you joy you are on the right track!
I used to be a project knitter. I find myself these days enjoying making swatches and trying new stitches. I love yarn and I love a challenge.
Interesting evolution! You're like a Pokemon LOL.
I finished 4 knitting projects this year. I have one on the go for 3 years (bored) now I’ve started to learn different Lace knitting patterns. It’s very inspirational.
This is the first one of your videos I've watched and I found it very thought provoking. I guess I'm a comfort knitter. I truly enjoy the process.
I am so glad you enjoyed the video and hope to continue to earn your views! Comfort/process is a great combo.
I am a process knitter, but I want to make an object that either someone else or myself will enjoy.
Very cool!
I'm halfway between process and project knitter
I am on my second Fox Paws wrap by Xandy Peters and it is tv knitting now, but felt so complex the first time I couldn't watch tv while I knitted it. If you are not familiar with Fox Paws, it uses lots of stacked increases and stacked decreases and looks so exciting! I like to have 2 or three knitting projects going so I can learn new techniques on one but have a tv knitting project too.
I am a HUGE admirer of all of Xandy's work. Her stacked increase/decrease technique was a game changer! I know quite a few knitters who have made multiple Fox Paws.
I'm a project knitter, I see a pattern I like and I want to make it, usually with yarn of the same color. I like fashion and am very picky about my wardrobe and what I want to spend my time on so I like to make things I will enjoy making. I'm also a bit of a comfort knitter/crocheter and it helps with my anxiety.
I really admire fashion forward knitters. My fashion sense is ... questionable LOL!
Your enthusiasm and love for knitting is fantastic! I cannot tell you how much these scales have helped me. I am a crocheter but I also want to knit so badly. I have tried and tried so many times but I am going to keep going until I get it.
Suggestion for a couple of scales:
Give it up...........................................................Keep working until I get it!
Frustrated..........................................................No stress knitting
Must be mistake free.........................................A few mistakes are okay
(Finished project)
Frog it 2 or 3 times................................................Frog as many times as I need to
(still will finish project)
Need quiet to knit.....................................................Can be very noisy
I am sure you have much better terminology if any of these make sense. I have not read the comments. If by chance I have duplicated an idea that someone else has, my apologies. I just finished watching the videos and needed to write these ideas before I forgot them.
The quiet one is one I haven't thought of. You might want to check out the Part 2 of this video, I think we had a whole lot of the same thoughts.
I like the process
Fantastic!
I am in between project and process but definitely a comfort knitter! I absolutely love having to assess and discover who I am as a knitter!!! Thank you so very much!!
I'm glad you are liking these introspective videos. I am having fun thinking about knitting!
Hello Barbara, loved the video. I'm definitely a process + comfort knitter, I came to knitting because my therapist recommended finding an activity/hobby for my anxiety. I questioned myself for never reaching for complex patterns, but your video helped me realize what I'm getting out of knitting isn't the end product, it's the process! Thanks, I'm going to check out your other vids now!
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the video.
Only been knitting for about 5 months, just before covid started. My husband likes knitted dishcloths and asked me to learn to knit so we didn't have to buy from craft shows and the like. I have made 100 or more dishcloths now, and have started knitting slippers,which I really enjoy. So i'm more of a comfort knitter, and I love repetition. Thank you for the video, great topic.
Sounds like you caught the knitting bug LO!L! Once you have used knitted washcloths you never want to use store bought again. Same for socks!
I'm an extremely adventurous process knitter. Every creation is like a dream coming to me while I am knitting. The most frustrating thing is Wien I get knitters block. I hold The yarn in my hand but there is no story, no urge. But my hands long to be knitting, it almost hurts. Other times I can't even focus in anything else, everything just inspires me and new designs just appear like magic, my hands can't keep up with it...
I can empathize, sometimes I don't know what I want to do next ... I just know that I want to DO.
I am BOTH! I love the process and feel of knitting; and I also love knitting projects
So you're smack in the middle!
@@WatchBarbaraKnit It would seem so!
I learned to knit as a child and returned to it when my children were small. I needed something
In my life with a beginning and an end that stayed done! So, project knitter for sure. These days I look for projects in which I can learn something new. I’m getting up my courage to steek something!
You and me both! I feel like I should steek something because I'm supposedly a professional LOL.
I love this. I've never thought about what kind of knitter I am. But now I know I'm a process challenge knitter. I still feel very new to knitting after knitting for two years. Still learning lots. Thanks for the video Barbara.
I'm glad that the video prompted you to think some deep thoughts!
Process and challenge. I have always found it fascinating to turn yarn into something. I make gifts for others and myself. I also am working on my own lace scarf pattern design (first try).
Ooh! Good luck and have fun.
Well now I have to ponder. I know I am a project knitter. I do love my comfort knitting but I am working on a sweater that I had to pay attention to. That was hard but I got through it and now back to the sleeves that is tv knitting. Thanks for helping me think through this.
I am so glad you got something out of this video.
I'm definitely a process knitter and it takes me usually longer to finish a project. I also give most of my knitting to friends and family. Really enjoy your videos.
Giving stuff away just means you never have to answer the dreaded "Don't you already have enough shawls/socks/hats?" question LOL!
Hi Barbara, what great topic. I am a comfort knitter, that takes a lot of joy out of the journey of making something new. Now and then i also like to learn something new, a technique or pattern. Not all project are succesfull, but that is okay. I really learned a lot from several of your youtube videos so thank you so much for your effort and enthusiasm. Greetings from Ilse from The Netherlands
I am so glad you said Hi! Thanks for watching.
I’m on the project and challenge side. I need to occupy my brain to relax. I’m that type of quilter, too. Projects like your face framing lace shawls I love because I get the best of both worlds. Complexity and learning and growing with some sections of not having to think until I get to the next marker. ⭐️
Thank you for your kind words. I am so glad you like those shawls!
You Tube knitter here! I am dependent on YT for instruction, access to designers, review of skills, and new ideas. Barbara, you and a few other skilled instructors have helped to expand my knowledge, skill, and courage to attempt new challenges. Thank You. I love your explanation of what drives you as well, if it helps any while I knit to drive the anxiety demons away and to "self sooth" I also will add one of your lace patterns to a hat from a shawl you have designed. Thanks again.
I am so glad that you have found my videos useful/entertaining!
Oh snap, you got me. 🤣I’m totally a “Challenged Project Knitter”. I’m new to knitting and do love when I finally get the finished project. And have the nerve to get mad cause I can’t watch tv because I have to pay attention to the pattern, 😅So far finished 3 very small projects one of which was a heart cable scarf I loved just because of the picture. Im a “Process Comfort Crocheter” though. Now, I really want this beautiful knitted v-back tee top I’ve seen on raverlry. So here I go being the “Challenged Project Knitter” again.🤣All the advice you give, helps tremendously, Thank You😁
Have I told you how much I LOVE and ENJOY your videos? Well It's true. I do enjoy and love them. I am a middle of the spectrum knitter I believe. I love the finished project, and often as not I knit something for someone else, usually a gift. I am now knitting a cardigan for myself, I am on the 1st sleeve. I can't wait to finish this because the cardigan I am wearing at the time is one I made several years ago from the same pattern and it's just about worn out. I absolutely love both knitting and sewing! Thanks for your musing in this video and for all your videos. Terry
Thank you so much for your kind words. I was a little nervous making this video because I didn't know how people would react. I'm not really teaching anything but more rambling on ...
I taught myself to knit because of a project, a baby sweater for my son. I could have crocheted one, but I wanted the knit one. For years I used crochet as my comfort and knitting as my challenge. Two decades later, it has changed for me. I would say I am more of a process knitter and crocheter. If I see a project that speaks to me I will happily conquer a new technique or element to get the project. I have multiple projects on the needles/hooks for when I have time. Just pick the project to fit the time of day -Comfort or Challenge, Knit or Crochet. I'm ready! Maybe I'm in the center of your graph LOL
The center is not a bad place to be! As long as you're happy and finding fulfillment in your crafting you can be anywhere!
I am a comfort knitter. I enjoy quick projects that I can give as gifts, ie, hats, mitts and socks. I am currently challenging myself with a larger project, a shawl. I think I am ready to challenge myself with a new level of skill. Thank you for sharing your thought process. Blessings.
You can stick in the type of projects that bring you comfort but just introduce new techniques!
Hi Barbara! I love your podcasts. I consider myself a moody knitter.🙄 I work full time and do not have a lot of time to devote to knitting. When I’ve had a good day I’m up for working on a more complicated pattern. I seem to be able to focus better and my thoughts don’t ramble. On the other hand, if it’s been a bad day I mostly just want to set down in front of the tv and not even think too much about what I’m knitting. That’s why I have two going at once.
100% where you are on the spectrum can change based on where your headspace is at!
Zen is exactly why I knit. I learned to knit at a time when I had enough challenges in my life, and I am still mostly a process-comfort knitter. Thank you for such a thought provoking episode.
Be one with the yarn!
Thank you for your, knit ( food) for thought. Never really thought about it. I do love a challenge and I am amazed with the end product that I knitted. I never thought about picking out a pattern based on that. It's true we do have little time and it is valuable. Thank you
If this helped a wee bit then it was worth it! Good luck on your next project.
I lived this video and am going to join your groups! I am a ‘past life’ (knitted a bit as a kid but took to it like I knew what I was doing as an adult) COVID hobby ((knitting through Zoom meetings is a godsend) PROCESS meditative knitter. And - didn’t think I had a crafty bone in my body so I will add ‘excel spreadsheet’ knitter.
When COVID put my job to remote it took a while to realize that knitting replaced my long drives between work sites. What I was missing was ‘think time.’
The analytical me found a friend in the structured creativity of knitting. I love to watch something FORM and I am still new enough that the simple patterns I choose ( baby blankets for my staff of 50 in which 3-5 ladies are pregnant every year) are so much fun to see grow.
I had so much fun listening to this video. Thank you!
Welcome and thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I hope to continue to earn your views!
I am a comfort knitter. I learned to knit basic stitches and taught myself to crochet a chain and managed to crochet a blanket for my grandson because after I completed a throw for my daughter, I had tendenitis...I know I don't hold needles properly but I have tried for decades to knit British style and I am all thumbs. However I discovered this week continental style, so I may try that. I have knitted scarves tuques and that is it. I do not have patience to follow a pattern. I just purchased two books and can't follow it. Due to the pandemic I cannot go see a friend for support. I love your channel!! It has allowed me to "try" out my circular needles finally. I go to Michaels and buy needles of all sorts blockers, markers, extra yarn but it is like fixing dinner for hours and you don't feel like eating anymore. I do most of my knitting to relax or when I am on a long crisis call (I'm a counsellor) and I find the knitting grounds me. I find knitting relaxing...it calms me. the only reason I attempt crochetting a scarf or blanket is because my shoulders and arm hurt a lot when I knit too much...arthritis. So perhaps learning continental knitting may help. You remind me of a dear colleague who was a counsellor for youths years ago...you have a very soothing voice and I am part French, being from Montreal, so I talk with my hands too :)
I also write poetry/haiku which is meditative for me and when I walk for hours I listen to podcasts or audible books or chant my mantra in my mind. Thanks for your amazing channel! During these times it feels so wonderful to watch.
I do talk with my hands a lot LOL. When I catch myself doing it in the camera I try to dial it back a bit. I hope that continental works out for you - it totally changed my knitting life!
WatchBarbaraKnit Pls don’t stop talking with hands lol. It’s you and you show how real you are.
I think most of the time I love making things for others and enjoy the process of doing them. I guess I fall somewhere in betweenbecause I enjoy both. Designing is a lot of fun because I enjoy coming up with new ideas. Great question; I had to think on it a little bit.
Thanks for sharing!
I’m more of a project knitter. Get great satisfaction when I get to the end goal! In fact I get miserable when I see my WIPs growing... lolz! Also a adventure knitter as I like to learn new techniques and new ways along the way. When I get into comfort knitting, I have a tendency to be like “oh when will this end....?” But on days when I’m just tired, I do enjoy the process of mindless knitting. But I will still prefer a challenge anytime. Great video on the perspective of knitting! Looking forward to more videos from you! :)
Thank you! I hope to come up with more interesting videos - but they can't all be so "deep" LOL!
Great topic...I believe I am more of a process/comfort knitter/crocheter.. However, if I am making a gift for a particular person, I am project knitter/ crocheter, but I really don’t like deadlines..
I am definitely. Comfort crafter.. I din’t necessarily want to be challenged...although I do like to learn new (but easy) Stitches to use in my Preemie blankets. I have never made anything for myself...... Everything gets given away...
I enjoy”TV”:knitting/crocheting,,, I tend to express myself in my choice of colors...not in the complexity of a project.
I don’t mind making roughly knitting or crocheting the same type of thing...but I want to use a variety of colors and different yarns. I love seeing whatever I am making take shape, and I love seeing how .
the fabric is looking.
I learned when I quilted that I often don’t really know how a project will look...or be...until it is done..
Yep...Prcess...although I love to see my pile of Preemie blankets and teeny weeny matching hats grow... In that sense, I am project driven.. It gives me great joy to create something...no matter how simple that something is..
that is pleasing to the eye..and will give joy to someone else..
That is a great way to be!
I love this topic. I miss my knitting groups that we discuss these sorts of things! Definitely a project / challenge knitter. It's not necessarily the "thing" that I'm looking for, it's the sense of closure and accomplishment of finishing an object. I almost always knit gifts and will usually even end up giving away something I've knit for myself. I want that sense of accomplishment, the thing is irrelevant. The thought of having more than a couple projects on the needles also gives me anxiety. I usually have just two (at most) projects going, one big one that needs to be worked on at home and one I can take on the go. I also need the challenge of something new and interesting. The thought of knitting the same thing twice makes me cringe, lol.
I miss my knitting groups too. Maybe that is why I've been making these videos LOL?
This was a really good way to look at it. I'm realizing I'm a process and challenge crocheter, and a project knitter, but as I've only been knitting for a couple months, I haven't figured out yet if I'm more challenge or comfort with knitting.
And you'll change throughout your knitting career and that's great.
I love the good scarf. I have two WIPS that will be done by winter for my kids. They are very different one is two yarns held together for my daughter and my sons is a solid color but I may end up adding a second color when
I get to the en
Nd of the first Hank because it may not be long enough then his will be two VP colors but a color block piece. It’s a great pattern very zen. Very clever . I adore it.
I'm so glad you like the pattern and are having fun knitting it!
Barbara, I just love collecting yarn. I love to knit and crochet but am so excited to buy yarn! I really do like hard
Patterns but really like easy ones, too. But...buying yarn...oh my
It's a super fun thing to do!
I really liked this video. I had to go to Ralvery and take a look at the types of patterns I like. I would say I am 50% process/50% comfort. Knitting helps my anxiety with challenging myself with new stitches but every once in a while I need a nice and easy garter shawl to clear my mind. I just finished the Rock It Tee and I must have looked for over an hour in my library for something to cast on. My hands felt naked without a sweater on the needles. Rachelle in Seattle
Sometimes you feel like a challenge. Sometimes you might not and that is 100% OK!
I want to say im all of the above. I used knitting to help me quit smoking. In a month a I had a cabled scarf almost as long as I am tall, in sport/baby yarn. In a needle smaller than recommended... sewed the scarf ends together and made a cute top piece that crossed in the front.
Sounds like a great project!
I am both, like to try new knitting
You can totally be both!
I would like to say I love your explanation I never know new what type of Knitter I am I like to finish. But I also am a comfort knitter and I also give everything away never leave anything behind for myself thank you so much for your video it's excellent you are truly truly an inspiring
I think that liking to finish is sort of different than your motivation being wanting the end product - as is evidenced by you saying that you give things away. The feeling of satisfaction of finishing something and then getting to start something new is a totally awesome rush.
I am an ADD adventurous process knitter who loves learning new things, but who also loves the end project, who also gets bored easily. Though I always have a "comfort" project on the needles for Netflix/Audible time.
What a great discussion Barbara!
OH SHINY is totally a thing LOL.
I'm somewhere in between process/project same as tv vs adventure. I usually have 1 project that is fun and tv knitting and another project that is more challenging. Then I bounce back and forth between projects as I feel in the moment. I work on the challenging project when I need to focus and get out of my head and the tv project when I just want to zone out and wind down before bed. I decided to learn new skills this year that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Brioche is the next skill on the list, I tried a few years ago and got very frustrated so hopefully this year will go better. I'm high risk in AZ so I've been at home since March 17th
I have yet to find abiding love for Brioche. It looks lovely but I find the actual knitting process to be too fiddly and time consuming. Also, I have very little use for double thick fabric here in Florida LOL!
i am totally a process knitter ( although brand new, like two months now), after 20+ years as a hand quilter, and over that crocheter. All these crafts i am a process person, never really cared about which project it was.I might say i am an adventure crafter, if that means i want to learn all the different designs and processes out there. i started knitting because i was trying to wrap my head around naalbinding and thought maybe knitting might be a process to learning that. Most of my last three years all my projects have an element of 'how close to medieval is it" because i love the history of all the creative things. It makes me happiest when i get to the point that i can make up something creative because i have the foundations to make something without a pattern to follow.
One of my earliest projects was a pair of scoggers LOL.
Very enjoyable video, and helpful to quantify my different crafting moods. I'm bi-stitchual (crochet and knit), and picked up knitting because crochet didn't give me the complexity I wanted anymore. I'm currently working on a double-knit scarf, with directional motifs that I am making both sides the "right" side, so charting it out and working it is giving me a satisfactory challenge; but I also usually have a cotton washcloth cast onto a set of needles for "tv knitting." I just bought your book of shawls with chunky yarn that is next on my lineup because I wanted to try something pretty and lacy but didn't want to invest the time to make it with lace-weight yarn. However, my first introduction to your videos was the "lace crescent shawl" that was a meditative comfort knitting project. I crochet and knit with a church prayer shawl group because I want to try new patterns all the time, but don't want a personal stockpile of shawls, lap blankets, and baby blankets. Guess I have a scattergun approach. We'll see what I feel like next week!
Being a magpie is a super fun thing! I can't wait to hear what you've knit out of my book!
I am a project knitter, and i love having eyelets in my work, but they just look to loose or to tight. Please do a video on this, would be so helpful!! Thank you!!
Hmmm, that sounds like the kind of thing that might need to be looked at to figure out precisely what you mean. I'm afraid I don't really understand what you mean by too loose/too tight. Have you joined the WBK FaceBook group. This is the kind of thing that you could share pictures of and we could try to work out what is going on!
When knitting back over yarn over I can’t seem to keep them consistent.
Amazing idea! I would define myself as a half project/half process knitter... I just love all the aspects of knitting, and that includes all the process of knitting and the final project (specifically I love big projects with shape, like sweaters and cardigans). And sure, I am a challenge knitter! I love to do things that make me think... I find calm and peace when I have my mind fully occupied ❤
That's lovely!
I'm absolutely a process knitter/crocheter & i'mm about equal on comfort/challenge. I LOVE learning new things, so i LOVE challenging projects, but i also always have comfort crochet & knit projects in the works for when i just need to decompress or to be able to work on something that doesn't require following a complex pattern for during work or travel projects. I think that's why i gravitate toward shawls & blankets, because i can switch them out frequently!
Yep, that's why I knit ALL THE SHAWLS.
Such a fascinating question! I'm definitely a project knitter. In fact, I saw a cardi on a website just a few months ago and decided to learn to knit so I could make it. I'm also probably more of a challenge knitter. Well, because I'm such a newbie that everything is a challenge. But in addition to the cardi, I found a sweater with an intricate lace sleeve, and I just started that too. So, jumping in and taking it all on!
Not all newbies are into challenges (and that's OK). Being willing to jump into something you don't really know makes you an Adventurous Beginner!
Very interesting topic! It’s some times hard to put yourself in other people’s shoes I find. I had the impression from a forum that a lot of the people there knit the same three patterns over and over and asked if that was correct or if I just had the wrong impression. One of them wrote “isn’t the most important thing that we at least knit”. That really made me think about what I want from knitting. I always feel like having something on the needles and knit a lot, but I also would not knit if it wasn’t something I really want! I enjoy the process, but I do think the finished product is the most important. If I need to undo something multiple times to get it perfect I do, because having the perfect product is my over all goal. I always love a bit of a challenge, but I mostly knit in front of the TV, so I always need at least something that I can knit that doesn’t require too much thought.
I don't know that there is a wrong reason to knit. I made this video to try and get people to think about why they knit and to come to peace with that. You sound like you know yourself!
How fun to hear your thoughts on this. I’ve been noticing how much I have changed. I was once very much a challenge/ process knitter, though occasionally I was bitten by project dazzle. Then as kids grew, I was more project, oriented, have to have it, whether my own imaginings or saw a pattern. Colour work was a great love then lace. Now, there isn’t much I haven’t tried, but still there are a few, but I find i don’t have time or ability to concentrate as I used too, and find myself choosing projects that have a fun bit, like a yoke patten, then lots of plain, don’t have to look at it knitting for the rest. It’s nice though, because I can relax and knit those fingering weight sweaters that took too long in my mind! But there are some lovely lace projects that I still want to try, but I know I’d never get through while the grandkids are so young.
I think a big reason for this change is I get tired by evening, and once the grandkids go to bed, I just want to relax. I need my downtime. Easy Knitting is awesome for that. Definitely meditative, and soothing. I feel like I’m getting something done, but not expending energy i don’t have. And it’s comforting. Before, when younger I could hardly wait for evening so I could try out a new stitch, or see how colours I had picked out would work together, and what fun I had! Now, give me some yarn with a nice feel, and easy knitting, and I’m a happy knitter.
Interesting how we change. I do enjoy hearing your thoughts and how curious your mind is. Probably why I love your patterns, because they are always fun explorations, but in my current state, I’m not always able to join the fun. Cheers to you!
A lot of commenters have shared how they have evolved over time and it is super cool! Thank you for sharing.
I don't know if I'm a Freak of Kniture or not, but I kinda think so. I don't have any kind of queue, as I rarely use a pattern, and often don't even have a type of object in mind. I pick a yarn, start knitting and see what happens. I often have 4 or 5 reboots before I decide to go on. I just end up with whatever comes off the sticks, but I'm happy if it's useful and happier still if it ranks as unugly or higher on the looks scale.
I almost never have a wip list, because I am a severely monogamous knitter. If I start to hate a project, I might just stop knitting for weeks. When I finally decide to have an illicit affair with some other yarn, it usually kickstart my mojo enough to go back and work on the abandoned project again - but not until I finish the new one. I can only recall two times when I was actively knitting on two or more projects at the same time.
My other quirk is that I have my own version of "second sock syndrome", but for sweaters. I consider the body of a sweater as one project, and the sleeves as another, totally separate project, that just happens to be attached. So it's ok to finish the body, set it aside for some other project, and return to do the sleeves later. In one case about 5 years later. But it's not a WIP, it's an FO, just waiting for another FO to hang off its sides ... like I said at the beginning, I think I'm a Freak of Kniture. (Freak of Kniture = Copyright Kitten WAW) Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, and for being who you are, which makes it so much fun.
That's super interesting about your sweater syndrome. I don't think you are a freak - honestly you've described me in many ways. I start with the yarn and swatch ... and I have so many notes on things that petered out in the middle of the design it isn't funny LOL.
I am driven by the project because I first fall in love with the beauty of a pattern. But I also love the actual process, learning new techniques, learning from my mistakes... I also love oceans of stockinette as knitting is a form of meditation to me, wether it is for comfort or for challenge. There is love and pride in a finished hand crafted project - I mostly knit for myself but I love gifting to loved ones too! 💚
But I'm definitely a monogamous knitter now - unfinished projects can stay forever in my drawers and I don't want this anymore! 😂
Sounds like you've found your sweet spot!
I love this video - I'm definitely a process/challenge knitter; sometimes the challenge is finishing the project once the interesting part is done ;)
I 100% agree with that one. I have actually paid a sample knitter to finish one project I just COULD NOT knit anymore LOL.
"Sometimes the challenge is finishing the project once the interesting is done! So true.
I enjoy knitting for a lot of the same reasons I enjoy studying/teaching math. I tend towards the challenge/process type of knitter. Awesome video, very thought provoking
Thanks!
Go where no knitter has gone before!😅.... yes, I have learned to knit for an intermediate project. Blast that Vogue Knitting lace pattern!
It took me two years to finish on two continents but its mine.
In those two years, I knit other projects for the pocess , comfort and charity. The challenge and perseverance was all in that first knit lace pattern. Thanks for breaking down the motivations into concepts and a graph. Its a big help with keeping my priorities in focus.
I really like diagrams LOL. I"m glad you enjoyed the video.
I am very much a process knitter. On the scale, I am so close to the extreme I could be the definition of extreme.
And as for comfort/challenge, I am all over the place. When I need comfort knitting, I make basic socks. Yes, I know that can be a challenge. But I've probably made at least 100 basic socks so I can make a heel flap and gusset in my sleep. And at times, I love the very complex challenge projects.
No matter what I make, I will probably give it away. In fact, I have two sweaters and 3 pairs of socks I need to take to the post office as soon as I finish blocking them.
WOW. I am impressed at your sock making. This summer I am trying to learn to make socks and I can not get that heel right to save my life! Rachelle in Seattle
Being a process knitter means you'll never lack for entertainment or gifts to give LOL!
@@619to253 if you are on Facebook, check out Winwick Mum's sock group. She has great, easy to follow instructions. If you get stuck, post a photo and/or question and someone will answer within minutes.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit yes. And my family and friends are always very grateful.
Thank you for this video. I have not really taken the time before to think about this. I do love a challenge. The more complicated the project the more I gravitate toward it. I also find that I love learning new things. So I guess on that front I am more of a challenge knitter. On the other side of it I think I'm somewhere in the middle. I love having the finished project but I also love the process of knitting it. Look at me learning new things about myself thanks to you.
I am so glad that you picked up the challenge to think about yourself!
I have been knitting for over 50 years, and I am a process knitter. I have things in my house that I have made, and have no use for. I give away much of what I made. Currently I am working on a hoodie for my 19 year old grandon, just because I need to knit. The fact that I am watching your video while I do it proves that I'm a comfort knitter.
LOL. comfort knitting is awesome.
As you’ve said, everything’s a spectrum. It’s also interesting to see the reasons why we hit where we do on the spectrums.
I’d say that I probably land on the process side of project-process. Yes, I like to make a lot of smaller projects instead of larger ones, but I think the other axis comes into play there. Washcloths and dishcloths are some of my favorite objects to knit because you can get so creative with them! One of my favorite things to make is a dishcloth with random garter ridges in it. I’m not thinking about a pattern, I’m thinking about the textures I’m making. Then, I also give away more than 50% of what I make.
At heart, I’m also a challenge knitter, but one that spends most of his knitting time while talking to others, listening to podcasts or audiobooks, or watching TV or TH-cam. So, basically, knitting is keeping my hands busy. So, I like smaller projects that teach me a new technique. If the pattern is simple is a plus, due to the context of most of my knitting time. Since I like to learn new things and try new techniques, I get bored if the project is too big. A shawl is basically my upper limit. I haven’t even attempted a sweater yet, and I’ve been knitting for over 10 years.
The only sweater I've ever knitted was for a 4 year old LOL!
Really interesting :) I have never thougth about this, but it makes so much sense.
I am a project and challenge knitter. I really hate knitting a sweather with just gatherstich. I need colourwork, lace or stich patteren to keep me entertained while knitting. Simple sweathers with just knit stiches look good, but I know now that I would not have the patience to finish it, I would find it to boring.
I also can only knit when I feel motivated, I never knit because I feel "I have to". I also sew clothing, and find that I have some months I knit and others I sew never together.
Thanks for your great videos.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video.
Hi I don't know are I fit in I knit and it relaxes me I have almost no vision I just finished a baby blanket on round needle and casted off I was proud of myself
I am proud of you too! I hope you have fun.
At this time in my life I have become a comfort project knitter. After being let go in March, I needed something to do to keep my mind focused enough but not too much. I picked up my crochet hook and started making granny squares. In the process I have kept my sanity and have made 7 afghans with plans for
At least three more. My first love is knitting though, and I love a good pattern!
That's a lot of afghans! I can totally see making a pieced project being very comforting. That feeling of accomplishment you get when you finish each square is great.
Great topic! As you said the we are not black and white. At times, I look for the comfort of rhytmic kniting, crocheting or even re doing a pattern that I have done before.
At other times, I would want the challenge of new type of stiches, trickier pattern or a more slippy, thinner yarn.
I usually have two project at the same time and do whichever one that i want at any time. I guess that means i am more process driven than project driven.
What sometimes drive me more is yarn. If i see a colourway that I love, i most probably will find a pattern for it, knit/crochet it and then giving it away if the end result is not something that i can use/wear.
The love of yarn is such a big part of knitting for me too!
Great topic, thanks!
I think I am a project and comfort knitter. I try to set goals for myself that can help me to learn to use different knitting tools (magic loop, DPS), This has given me more confidence in knitting. Pattern selection is becoming more easy and not so overwhelming. That in it self is comforting for me.
That is awesome and very similar to what I did when I started out. I'd pick out projects based on what I want to learn.
This is great! In management consulting, we call this kind of structure a 2x2 framework. I'm definitely an adventure knitter, and mid-spectrum on the project-process axis. I particularly like patterns that have some elements of challenge (a new shaping technique, color work, etc), with some sections of comfort for tv-knitting ("work as established until piece measures X inches"). Another way I like to think about this axis is whether a pattern requires me to "zone out" or "hone in".
Another axis that I think is interesting is pattern- vs. yarn-first: do you buy yarn and find something to do with it, or do you find a pattern before hunting down the perfect yarn?
Hmmm, that is an interesting axis, I think it could be tied in with if you are a stash-er or buy yarn for each individual pattern.
I enjoy the process, mainly making the 2-rectangle ponchos with 9-stitch cable plaits, round afghans for babies, and cabled fingerless gloves with a longish cuff (2 at a time on circular needles). I do give almost all of it away bkz you can have just so many ponchos, blankies, and gloves!!
Exactly. I like the making, not necessarily the having.
I think I'm mostly a process knitter. I have several projects going on, from challenging (and it is in time out because it won’t cooperate with me, lol), to mindless. It really depends on my mood, I guess. I taught myself to knit when I was pregnant with my daughter (1972!) in the Western method. I switched to Portuguese because of carpal tunnel and arthritis which had me constantly stopping to get rid of the numbness in my fingers. It has made a world of difference for me. I enjoy my knitting much more now, though it might be a bad thing since I have several ufos, plus yarn and patterns waiting for me to even start them! 😂😂😂🥰🥰
It is good to have options and plans LOL!
WatchBarbaraKnit Yes! Hopefully I can get one finished before the year is out! 😂
This has been a fun topic to think about and to compare myself at different ages and with knitting vs crochet. I've been knitting a little over 40yr and crocheting over 55 yr (I'm 60 now - my how the time has flown by!) So when I was in my teens to 30's I was really an advanced-project crocheter, but was a comfort-process knitter. From 30's to 50's I morphed into an advanced-process knitter except when it came to knitting socks. I was definitely an advanced-project knitter. I became totally bored with crochet altogether and only did it when I was taking long trips in the car to keep my hands busy - I guess I was a comfort-process crocheter then. From 50-60 I have become a comfort-process knitter but a comfort-project crocheter. I've fallen in love with the process of crochet again, but am focused on the completing projects for grandkids and neices and nephews. Crochet is a quick project for me, whereas I get bogged down in getting knitting projects done. I would be happy just knitting swatches, like you Barbara, b/c it's about the comfort and process for me. My husband thinks I'm nuts for not getting any knitting projects done. LOL. Happy knitting to all!
Thank you for sharing your fascinating crafting journey!
This is so interesting to me, let me explain why. I first taught myself to knit in order to knit a 🧸 because I had to make that bear to give my friend for her expected baby boy. I crochet too and it is much easier for me to crochet than knit, but I really love the way knitted products look. I have given away almost everything I have ever knitted and crochet. I enjoy the process of a project come to life. A gift I imagine come to life. I have challenged myself with every new project I have made. This was very interesting 🤔 to hear and think about. Thank you for making this video!
I love a crafter who loves a challenge!
I've always been a process knitter - but now I've got another dimension too. Seems I'm a chaotic comfort/challenge knitter - I love "mindless" knitting but sometimes I also want to a challenging knit just because it's a new technique or a generally cool pattern. I don't often have use for the items.. so a lot is given away
I think the "craft it then give it away" tendency is very much a sign of a process knitter LOL.
Twinsies! ;-) When people ask me what I'm weaving I usually say "a piece of cloth'! I hand spin but haven't used my yarn, I just admire it, I spent a year making bobbin lace and loved it but I haven't used my lace and I always have around 3 pairs of socks on the go. I do want my socks to be interesting so one is colourwork, one is cabling, and one is more vanilla. I derive a lot of comfort from my string but I usually need at least a bit of challenge in order to stay in my 'mindfulness' place. When I want something easy (like while I'm visiting with someone or I'm on the bus) I pull out my drop spindle my vanilla sock, or some mending. But my main crafting needs to be something new to me. This was very interesting, and really got me thinking. It was a great video and it has the best comments too!
I have been astounded by the comments and am trying to respond to each one. I have read them all! Everyone is so different but in other ways we are all the same in our love of crafting!
40 year knitter of mostly scarves, a few hats, and some sweaters. Process meditative knitter who is trying hard to learn some new tricks, but knows the limitations of her brain....repetition is key for me, and I love to make an interesting surface, and be influenced by work in patterns, but I will never be a lace or intarsia knitter. I'm attemtping a sweater right now that is very basic, but I found that the edges come out very uneven to I am viewing a ton of how to's (including yours) for good strong increas and decrease edges for sewing! Thanks and cheers to your process of looking into the different types of people! Very cool!
I'm an accessories girl too! As far as increasing/decreasing for shaping in sweaters - it is better to have the shaping set in a couple of stitches from the edge than to do them directly on the edge. It makes it look smoother.
I am definitely more on the project side, even though I do enjoy the process, if I don't want the thing (or want to make it for someone) I'm just not going to enjoy it, I need an end goal to reach. I also think I'm in the middle between comfort and adventure, leaning slightly on comfort. I'd like a bit of challenge to learn new things, but I want to be able to get into a groove once I've gotten the hang of it. Very interesting to think about, thank you for this video!
I'm glad you enjoyed it. I understand about the goal thing,
I think I’m a little of both!!! I lean more toward the process because when I’m not making something I’m always practicing new stitches and patterns!! When I’m make something I usually give it away which I love to do but I’m sad when the project is complete!!!
That's why I think it's a spectrum - sometimes it depends on mood.
I'm so a process and challenge knitter. I'm very new but in every craft I do... I make it cause I love seeing what I did. The outcome. Most the time I giveaway what I make but I love making things
This is interesting. I have to say that I am a combination of all of these. I think that’s why I have multiple WIPs going. I call them “palate cleansers”. I think predominantly pattern knitter, ultimately. If it means that I learn a new thing, then great! I’ll enjoy the process. But I always make sure I have something ready that I can do watching tv and also something challenging that will slow me down. It all depends on what mood I’m in. And I love the fact that knitting can be all of these things!
And knitters can be all over the place and it's just fine! Just have fun and enjoy yourself.
Interesting concepts. If I think about it, which I admit I never have, I fall directly in the centre overall. Some days I challenge myself, some days I use knitting, crochet, art, etc in repetitious, meditative ways. Some days I covet the end result and some days I just enjoy the process. Like I said, interesting.
Thanks for sharing!
Mostly process and challenge although from time to time a pattern will pop up requiring me to knit it, the item will still be given away, and rarely do I want "TV" knitting.I fell in love with cables and most of my knitting involves putting cables in everything (I make up a lot of my own Items and never write down what I did so most of my stuff is truly one of a kind). I just wish my Mom was still here to see my knitting now. I taught myself to knit as my Mom was a true lefty knitter but in the learning process while watching her I became an Eastern style knitter. Figured the eastern style thing out a couple of years ago when someone asked me about my knitting, I had described it as knitting backwards upside down. Believe it or not there are just some stitches that are seriously difficult for an Eastern knitter. My early knitting drove her crazy because my stitches were "backward". She suggested crochet for me instead but no one to teach that either. I did learn enough crochet to be able to put an edge on some of her stuff.
(edit) Mom was an expert knitter, in her younger years she supported herself by knitting suits and was able to knit in a movie theater while watching the movie (simple stockinette)
Very cool, thank you for sharing!
I'm very much a process knitter, and I go between comfort knitting and challenge knitting depending on what I'm in the mood for (how bad a day I'm having, etc). Usually when I have a product-knitter moment and want to HAVE the thing more than I want to MAKE the thing, it's still good process knitting because I get excited by interesting construction tweaks.
Thanks for sharing, and honestly, this doesn't surprise me about you LOL.
I taught myself to knit. I learn the throw method first. I taught myself to continental knitting. So I do that mainly. I love to knit. I love to knit socks, handwarmers and sweaters I have more projects than one and I learn new stitches. I am going to make a sweater and I'm going to use two colors and throw and continental knit it up.
That is awesome!
I’m usually thinking about how I’m going to finish the item I’m working on and I hear my sock yarn calling me to knit another pair of socks. I can also work out something that may be on my mind.🧶
Love that!
I am both a process knitter and a project knitter. Similarly on the comfort/challenge axis. Mostly I make garments that I need like socks, beanies, cardigans. I like these to be fairly plain (especially now I am old), maybe with a bit of simple pattern to relieve it. However sometimes I come across an intriguing pattern that maybe has many charts for different parts and bits joined on and I just have to make it so I can see how it is structured. Those projects are often given away as they probably don't fit me or suit me or whatever hut I do like a challenge now and then. I have been knitting since I was about 3 (81 now) and I have always enjoyed the process of knitting, the meditational aspect of it, the ability for my mind to explore wherever it wants and the fact that you are not doing a job to get it done, you are just knitting one stitch at a time and it's finished when you get to the end. 😀
Where I am on the spectrum can depend on a butterfly flapping their wings in Japan LOL.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit LOL! same here!
I am a process knitter, as is evidenced in the amount of KALs I join (I'm in 5 this August) and the amount of WIPs I have (about 20). I love the process of knitting and creating: seeing what can be made with sticks and string. I'm always surprised when I finish a project. As for the Comfort/Challenge axis, I go more toward the Challenge side. I love to challenge myself to try new techniques and learn at least one new technique a month. Had to believe it can be done after so many years knitting, but there is always something new to learn. (I learned two new heels this month!) I do love a project that I know, too. Not every day needs to be a challenge, so I'm more towards the middle of the challenge axis.
Very cool!
Definitely a project knitter here. I’ve come to terms with the fact that if I’m going to knit something, it HAS to be something I genuinely love or else it will never be finished. It always baffles me to see knitters who cast on every new pattern that comes their way, but it makes sense that a process knitter would be more apt to jump in to every new pattern regardless of what the finished object is. For me, I really do enjoy the process of making things, but I can’t usually motivate myself to actually make something unless I like the finished object enough. It’s a little frustrating sometimes when I just want to cast something on but first have to find a pattern I like enough, but this quality definitely does help me be more intentional about only making things I actually want to have. The only thing I always have to keep in mind as a project knitter is that I can’t let myself become so invested into the idea of the finished project that the actual FO is a letdown. I tend to get so excited about having a project finished that I rush through and then end up thinking “okay, what now?” when the project is finished and I don’t have anything to work on anymore. As silly as it sounds, I have to continually remind myself that nothing magical will happen when a project is finished. This helps
to avoid that sinking feeling at the end and helps me to stay present in what I’m working on and enjoy the process more. As for comfort versus challenge, I’m definitely more of a challenge knitter. I have a lot of anxiety so I need things to be engaging enough to distract me and take my mind off of whatever I’m worried about. I also find that challenge knitting helps me find more enjoyment in the process. I certainly don’t mind easy knitting but I have to have something else to do at the same time or else I get bored.
You've hit the nail on the head regarding one of the reasons I wanted to make this video. I find that knitters from the two extremes of process/project baffle each other because their approaches are just so very different. And when you are very set in one frame of mind it can be a challenge to see things from the other's point of view. But in the end we are all knitters and that is what brings us together.
I'm all of the above. At first it was the process, I wanted to just learn a stitch, learn how to knit a hat, then a sweater, then different techniques. Then, with all the videos and patterns floating around, it's the project. However, now it's if I can get my UFOs done and use up as much yarn as I possibly can even when I am ordering more. But now I see your shawl and I want to knit it. :-)
Well, I can't apologize for the shawl bit LOL! I am an enabler to the core. Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thank you so much for this video! It really helped me a lot to know where or who I am in knitting. I've never really thought about it. But you made me think, and described me. So, it is really nice to know. I really love you videos, cuz its so informative and and makes us think. Plus it is also lot fun. So Thanks again! And keep up the great work. And look forward to seeing what's next.
Thank you for your kind words. For me it's fun to think about these things and I wanted to share!